Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Xander turned his face away, huffing. "I'm not even gonna fight with you about Stella anymore."

Ronald's voice dropped, taking on a weight that made Xander pause. "Did you ever wonder why your father let that woman into the Schultz family in the first place?"

Xander frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Ronald leaned in, his gaze sharp. "From what I know, your father wasn't head- over-heels for her. Yet he still brought her into the family. Why do you think that is?"noveldrama

Xander bristled. "Because that woman knew how to play her cards. She had him wrapped around her little finger."

"Is that what you really think of your father?"

Xander's temper flared. "If you're trying to say something, just spit it out!"

This was Xander's breaking point. Anything to do with his mother was a no-go zone-anyone who brought it up got the full force of his anger.

But Ronald just stared at him, silent.

Xander gritted his teeth. "Just drop it, okay? I don't want to hear any more."

Ronald set his mug down, voice cool. "Then why is Regina Schultz still locked away in there?"

Regina. The daughter of that woman. And when everything fell apart over the years, had Tristan Schultz ever truly tried to protect her?

Truth was, Xander had been a master at playing it cool. Even after what that woman did to his mother, he managed to act like nothing happened-hell, he even treated Regina, his so-called sister, decently.

He kept his head down, bided his time, waited for his moment.

No one really knew what went down in the Schultz family three years ago, but whatever it was, it pushed Xander over the edge.

Xander's eyes narrowed. There were some things about his family he'd never discuss.

"All I need from you is to leave Yvonne to me. Stay out of it, Ronald." Ronald straightened his rumpled cuff and looked away, noncommittal.

Was he really going to stay out of it? Truthfully, even Ronald wasn't sure.

After all, Xander had finally explained what happened three years ago. He wasn't out to hurt Stella.

But as

had

Tridon What the Schultz family Ronald's mind flasheet , and a dangerous a sheet

flickered in his eyes. Conten belongs to

He shot Xander a cold look. "I want the deed to Kernar's mines."

Xander's jaw dropped. "You want what?"

The Kernar mines? That was Tristan's pride and joy-his golden goose. Ronald was basically asking for Tristan's lifeblood.

Xander's gaze hardened. "You're serious?"

Ronald shrugged. "Just that one. The rest is yours to do with as you please. Deal?"

The Schultzes had more assets than they knew what to do with anyway.

Before Xander could answer, Ronald added, "Besides, you're not exactly one of the Schultzes anymore, are you?"

That hit home. Xander's face went even colder.

The two men locked eyes, tension thick in the air. Finally, Xander nodded. "Fine. Tell Yvonne to go all in."

Just then, Yvonne was coming downstairs and caught the last bit of their conversation. She was so startled, she nearly slipped-but grabbed the banister just in time.

Trust Xander to set her up like this. "Go all in?" she thought. Wasn't that basically throwing her to the wolves, telling her to go toe-to-toe with the Schultz family?